Peter Schäfer

Peter Schäfer (born 29 June 1943, Mülheim an der Ruhr, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a prolific German scholar of ancient religious studies, who has made contributions to the field of ancient Judaism and early Christianity through monographs, co-edited volumes, numerous articles, and his trademark synoptic editions.

[1][2] Subsequently, he received letters of support from 95 museum directors and curators, 445 Jewish studies scholars and 45 Talmudists.

[6] In 2014 he was awarded the Dr. Leopold Lucas Prize by the Protestant Faculty of the University of Tübingen,[7] and in 2021 the Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts.

Regarding the criticism, he said: "The accusation of antisemitism is a club that allows one to deal a very rapid death blow, and political elements who have an interest in this used and are using it, without a doubt".

[1] Schäfer's books contribute to the understanding of classical Judaism as well as ancient Jewish and Christian relations: Schäfer has encouraged the study of esoteric subjects in early Judaism through the publication of synoptic editions of ancient texts.